Emotiva Mini-X-A-100 Stereo Amplifier

[audiojoe]

My initial impressions of my first piece of Emotiva Gear - The Mini-X-A-100 Stereo Amplifier

I am an audiophile.  Have been since the 70's.  The golden era or so they say...

Anyway, I bought the Mini X 100 for the 8" 2 way Ceiling Speakers in the Dinette / Kitchen area of my home.

I have a Wireless Connection using an Outlaw Wireless Transmitter / Receiver System back to the Main Stereo in the Living Room.  (Cd quality, <10ms delay, Wi-Fi)

(The Main Stereo is primarily ARC and Vandersteen with a few other pieces including a servo sub.  Not the best but certainly in Hi End Land)

Before the Emotiva and Outlaw gear arrived I was using an Ipod and old Tascam 30+30 Watt Rack Mount Amp for system test.  I wasn't impressed but

blamed it on the Ipod and the Tascam components.  I was hoping the Dayton Audio Kevlar Woofer and Silk Done Tweeters were better than what I was hearing.

So the Emotiva and Outlaw gear arrives and I hooked it all up.  The difference was not subtle.  I even direct connected the Ipod as a test.  This ampilifer is good (within the power limitations)

even if you don't know the price.  The speakers sound quite nice but now I wonder what an additional $40.00 spent on the Emotiva speakers would sound like.

So I am going to step out on a limb and say the Emotiva Mini-X-A-100 amplifier might be the best little amp available for the price and power point. Period.

It reminds me of the Heathkit and Dynaco days when you could actually afford to buy / build an audiophile quality system.  Is Emotiva the new Heath or Dynaco?  Mighty big words I am saying...

The build quality of the amp is great. A toroidal transformer? for $219.00? Wow. Double box. Free Shipping. Even a nice "Fabric" cover for the amp instead of the usual plastic bag. Take notice ARC. It has

the Emotiva logo on it!  Downside?  No printed Manual included.  Anything else?  It took longer to register for the website that the order / ship process. I guess this means the shipping department is prompt!

I will return with more comments as I live with the amp.  I may add speakers to the Dining Room and use the same amp...

-AudioJoe

[garbulky]

Very nice! You may be interested in the DC-1 to pump up that sound quality!

[pdaddy]

Forgive me for using this forum, but if anyone is interested, I have a Gen-2 model mini-x new in the box unopened for $189 on the Emporium.

[frenchyfranky]

Welcome to the lounge and welcome to an old audiophile and now a new Emo junkie.

[d1sturb3d]

what's the difference of the gen 1 with the silver trim with the gen 2 with the black trim? or should I start a new topic?

[hemster]

Sept 10, 2014 3:44:20 GMT -5 d1sturb3d said:

what's the difference of the gen 1 with the silver trim with the gen 2 with the black trim? or should I start a new topic?

No need for a new topic. Are you asking if the specs have changed from gen1 to gen2?
Hope someone can help out here. 

[d1sturb3d]

Hi hemster, yes, aside from the trim, I don't think any major enhancements were done but I still want to know what are their difference. I hope Keith can shed a light on this one.


btw, I apologize for hijacking the thread dear audiojoe..I also own a mini-x and it is my main amp on my simple 2 channel setup..  great stuff!

[bennyb]

I had a first gen mini-x powering a pair of Vienna acoustics haydn grands, and it was awesome. I even tested it once on a pair of martin logan ethos, and again, very impressive. great little amp!!

[frenchyfranky]

Sept 22, 2014 15:49:02 GMT -5 bennyb said:

I had a first gen mini-x powering a pair of Vienna acoustics haydn grands, and it was awesome. I even tested it once on a pair of martin logan ethos, and again, very impressive. great little amp!!

I will add that all Emo products are habitually very impressive.

[linvincible]

I agree, superb little box.
I replaced Nuforce multichannel amp with it (the SE version built like 7 monoblocks inside, equivalent to 2 monoblocks of the same brand when only 2 channels used) for my office and guest room
I didn't do a direct comparison since the old amp had to be shipped prior the arrival of the Mini-X but I don't feel like I'm missing anything! Which amazing comparing the price of the two products.
Very good purchase.

[supadean]

Hey all. I bought a pair of used mini-x-a100 (first gen) this past summer. Emotiva did a great job with this amp. The volume control and form factor make them versatile units. Aside from their trippy auto-on function (the amp turns off if signal is too low during quiet passages), I'm pleased. I currently use them to vertically bi-amp my speakers. If and when I choose to try something else, these units can be separated to be used in a mini system etc. Cheers.